Socket structure

ABSTRACT

A lamp socket structure for use with a threaded base lamp formed of a sheet of insulating material. The lamp socket structure is adapted to be mounted on a conductive plate defining one connection to the lamp base and the socket structure is provided with a contact defining the other connection to the lamp base. The sheet is provided with an opening defining means for threading the lamp thereto.

United States Patent MT, 17 R, 17 D, 59 L,6l L, 119 L, 125 L, 126 R,127,147 R, 147 P, 149 R, 150 R, I50 A, 151 R, l5l A, 176 L, 177 L,178,180, 181, 182 L, 188 R, 199,277R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,983,8l8 12/1934 Seiss339/l80 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,123,304 8/1968 Great Britain.... 339/17 DPrimary ExaminerMarvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. StaabAttorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord ABSTRACT: A lampsocket structure for use with a threaded base lamp formed of a sheet ofinsulating material. The lamp socket structure is adapted to be mountedon a conductive plate defining one connection to the lamp base and thesocket structure is provided with a contact defining the otherconnection to the lamp base. The sheet is provided with an openingdefining means for threading the lamp thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to electrical devices and in particular to a lamp socketstructure.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many forms of lamp socket structures areprovided for low cost use such as in flashlights, toys, and games,wherein a low voltage such as obtained from flashlight batteries isemployed. Such structures may comprise molded sockets and the like. Oneproblem with such inexpensive socket structures is the ready looseningof the lamp bulb due to the relatively large tolerances involved in suchlow-cost moldings. Another problem is in the difficulty of mounting suchsockets on flat sheets and the like such as where the sockets are usedin connection with games. Another problem is in the relativelysubstantial cost of mold dies and the like where only a small number ofsuch sockets are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improvedlamp socket structure which may be formed of a flat sheet of plastic.The sheet may be suitably folded to define a pair of sheet portionsbiased toward each other to define a space into which the lamp base maybe threaded. One of the sheet portions may carry a contact forengagement by the central terminal of the lamp base. The other of thesheet portions may be provided with a suitable hole through which thelamp base may be threaded.

Means may be provided for securing the lamp base to the underside of ametal plate having an opening in registration with the lamp base holepermitting the plate to serve as means for connection to the threadterminal of the lamp base.

The plastic sheet may be further provided with a cutout adjacent thethreading hole to define means for frictionally retaining the lamp basein a threaded position in the socket structure. The sheet may beprovided with suitable score lines for folding the sheet to define anend wall having edge portions adjacent the cutout defining the frictionretaining means. The end wall may extend generally parallel to thedirection of threading of the lamp base to the hole in the first sheetportion whereby the sheet portions are spaced the height of the end walladjacent the lamp base and maybe secured together at the distal endsthereof to provide a resilient positioning of the sheet portionsadjacent the end wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a sheet preform for forming the lamp socketstructure of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the socket structure and lamp;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the socket structure; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of the socket structure and lampas utilized in a game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in the drawing, a socket structure generallydesignated for use with a threaded base lamp generally designated 11 isshown to comprise a folded plastic sheet generally designated 12. Thefolded sheet may be secured to the underside of a metal plate 13 as by arivet 14. The lamp may comprise a conventional low-voltage bulb having abase 16 and a filament 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, plate 13 may be provided with an opening 15 adaptedto receive threaded base 16 of lamp 11 whereby plate 13 may comprise oneconnection to the lamp.

Folded sheet 12 may be formed of a flat sheet 17 of a suitableinsulating material. Herein sheet 17 is formed of plastic, such as 0.03inch linear polyethylene. Sheet 17 is provided with a first score line18 extending transversely across the midportion thereof and a second,broken score line defined by portions 19 and 20 defining therebetween anend wall portion 23. Sheet 17 further includes a keyhole slot 21 havinga rectangular portion 22 extending into end wall portion 23, and acircular portion 24 in the left-hand sheet portion 25 as seen in FIG. 1.Sheet portion 25 is further provided with a rivet opening 26. Theright-hand sheet portion 27 is provided with a corresponding rivetopening 28 and a contact rivet opening 29.

As best seen in FIG. 3, when sheet 17 is folded along the score lines,score line portions 19 and 20 define effectively parallel lines, withscore line portion 19 intersecting slot portion 22 at apoint closer tothe bottom 30 of slot portion 22 than the intersection of score lineportion 20 with the slot portion 22. Thus, the edge 31 of slot portion24 is inclined downwardly, as seen in FIG. 3, at an angle preselected tocorrespond to the helix angle of the threaded lamp base 16 wherebythelamp base is effectively threadable in the edge 31.

As best seen in FIG. 1, circularslot portion 24 is cut short byrectangular portion 22 so that when the lamp base is threaded intoportion 24, surface 32 of the lamp base frictionally engages end wall 23adjacent slot portion 22 to retain the lamp in threaded association withthe socket structure as best seen in FIG. 4.

Rivet 14 may be extended through the aligned openings 28 and 26 when thesheet is arranged in the folded disposition 12 of FIG. 2. Plate 13 isprovided with a rivet opening 33 through which rivet 14 may be extendedto secure the socket structure to the underside of the plate 13 withcircular slot portion 24 aligned with plate opening 15 as best seen inFIG. 4.

A rivet 34 may be secured to sheet portion 27 in opening 29 with alooped wire end 35 secured between the rivet head and the sheet portion27, as shown in FIG. 4, whereby rivet 34 may define the electricalcontact for the central terminal 36 of lamp l1.

Illustratively, wire 37 may extend from looped end 35 thereof to asuitable battery, such as flashlight battery 38, and the other side ofthe battery may be connected to plate 13 to complete the electricalcircuit to the lamp. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, theconnection to plate 13 may be by means of a probe generally designated39 which may be selectively engaged with the plate in accordance with agame provided on the upper surface so that the lamp will light wheneverthe probe engages the metallic plate 13. Obviously, other methods ofcompleting the electrical circuitry may be utilized in conjunction withthe socket device 10 within the scope of the invention.

When the lamp base 16 is threaded downwardly through opening 21 toengage rivet contact 34, the lower sheet portion 27 may be resilientlyurged away from upper sheet portion 25 to provide a resilientlymaintained contact of the lamp terminal 36 with the rivet 34 forimproved electrical connection therebetween. This resilient actionfurther tends to frictionally lock the lamp base in the socket, furtherconsisting in maintaining the lamp against inadvertent looseningtherein.

Hole..l5 may be formed in metal plate 13 so as to have a friction fitwith the lamp base by making the diameter of the opening only slightlysmaller than the outer diameter of the lamp base whereby the threadingof the lamp is effected solely into the socket opening 21 with the metalplate providing a friction-type electrical connection further serving tomaintain the lamp against inadvertent unthreading in the assembly.

Thus, broadly, lamp socket structure 10 defines an improved means formounting a threaded base lamp. The lamp structure may be formed of asheet of inexpensive insulating plastic material provided with foldlines defining facially confronting portions joined by an end wall. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the fold lines are formed by score linesextending transversely across the sheet. An opening intersects one foldline and includes a first, segmentally circular portion in one portionof the. sheet and a second portion in the end wall portion of the sheet.By forming the circular portion to have a diameter substantially equalto the root diameter of the threaded lamp base, the lamp may beeffectively threaded into the socket means with the side of the lampbase engaging the end wall of the socket structure to effectivelyfrictionally retain the lamp threaded therein. Means are provided formaintaining the folded sheet in the folded arrangement so that thecenter terminal of the lamp base may have electrical connection to acontact mounted on another sheet portion resiliently disposed in spacedrelationship to the first sheet portion. The means for retaining thesheet in the folded arrangement may further serve as means for securingthe folded sheet structure to a metal plate defining a second electricalconnection means engaging the side of the lamp base.

Thus, the lamp socket structure of the present invention is extremelysimple and economical of construction while yet providing an improvedlamp mounting wherein the lamp is effectively positively retained in thesocket against vibration and the like while maintaining electricalconnections to the lamp base.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

lclaim:

1. Socket structure for use with a threaded base lamp comprising:

a sheet of insulating material having fold line means defining first andsecond sheet portions joined at said fold line means, and an openingintersecting said fold line means and having a first, segmentallycircular portion in said first sheet portion and a second portion insaid second sheet portion, said circular portion having a diametersubstantially equal to the root diameter of a threaded lamp base; and

means for retaining said sheet portions in a folded arrangement whereina lamp base may be threaded through said first opening portion to apreselected installed position wherein the outside surface of saidthreaded lamp base frictionally engages the portion of said second sheetportion defining said second opening portion to retain the lamp in thepreselected installed position.

2. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said sheet includes a thirdportion joined to said second sheet portion at a second fold line, saidthird sheet portion extending in facial confrontation to said firstsheet portion.

3. The socket structure of claim 2 wherein said retaining means furthersecures said third portion in said facial confrontation to said firstsheet portion.

4. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein the lamp includes a filamentand means are provided on said sheet defining an electrical contact forengagement by an end portion of the lamp base to provide an electricalconnection to one end of the lamp filament connected to said lamp baseend portion.

5. The socket structure of claim 2 wherein the lamp includes a filamentand means are provided on said sheet third portion defining anelectrical contact for engagement by an end portion of the lamp base toprovide an electrical connection to one end of the lamp filamentconnected to said lamp base end portion.

6. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said fold line means includeslongitudinally disaligned portions on opposite sides of said openinghaving opposed ends at said opening spaced apart substantially one-halfthe pitch of the lamp base thread.

7. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said second opening portioncomprises a substantially straight-sided opening portion extendingradially away from said first circular opening portion when said firstand second sheet portions are disposed substantially in a common plane.

8. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said second opening portionextends only partially the extent of said second sheet portion away fromsaid first sheet portion.

9. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said sheet is formed of asynthetic plastic.

10. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said sheet is formed ofpolyethylene.

11. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein the lamp in cludes afilament and a metal plate is facially juxtaposed to said first sheetportion and is provided with an opening adapted to receive said threadedlamp base while providing an electrical contact with the thread thereofto define an electrical connection to an end of the lamp filamentconnected to the thread.

12. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein a metal plate is faciallyjuxtaposed to said first sheet portion and retained in associationtherewith by said retaining means.

13. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said sheet includes a thirdportion joined to said second sheet portion at a second fold line andextending in facial confrontation to said first sheet portion, saidretaining means securing said third portion of the sheet in said facialconfrontation to said first sheet portion and securing a metal lampconnector in association with said first sheet portion to be engaged bythe threaded lamp base when the threaded lamp base is threaded into saidopening.

14. Socket structure for use with an incandescent lamp having a base,comprising:

a sheet of insulating plastic having a first leg portion, a bightportion, and a second leg portion having an end portion spaced from thefirst leg portion by the bight portion and a securing portion spacedfrom said end portion, an opening in said first leg portion adapted toreceive a lamp base. said leg portion defining distal ends;

means associated with said first leg portion for providing a firstelectrical connection to one connection portion of the lamp base; and

means associated with said second leg portion for providing a secondelectrical connection to another connection portion of the lamp base.

15. The socket structure of claim 14 wherein means are provided forsecuring the distal ends of said first and second leg portions in facialengagement, said sheet being formed of a resilient plastic, said meansassociated with said second leg portion for providing a secondelectrical connection being resiliently biased toward said first legportion by the facial engagement of said distal leg ends.

16. The socket structure of claim 14 wherein means are provided on saidbight portion of the sheet for frictionally engaging a lamp baseinstalled through said opening on said first sheet leg portion toreleasably retain a lamp in said socket structure.

17. The socket structure of claim 14 wherein said sheet portions areintegrally joined.

18. The socket structure of claim 14 wherein said sheet portions areintegrally joined by fold line means.

1. Socket structure for use with a threaded base lamp comprising: asheet of insulating material having fold line means defining first andsecond sheet portions joined at said fold line means, and an openingintersecting said fold line means and having a first, segmentallycircular portion in said first sheet portion and a second portion insaid second sheet portion, said circular portion having a diametersubstantially equal to the root diameter of a threaded lamp base; andmeans for retaining said sheet portions in a folded arrangement whereina lamp base may be threaded through said first opening portion to apreselected installed position wherein the outside surface of saidthreaded lamp base frictionally engages the portion of said second sheetportion defining said second opening portion to retain the lamp in thepreselected installed position.
 2. The socket structure of claim 1wherein said sheet includes a third portion joined to said second sheetportion at a second fold line, said third sheet portion extending infacial confrontation to said first sheet portion.
 3. The socketstructure of claim 2 wherein said retaining means further secures saidthird portion in said facial confrontation to said first sheet portion.4. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein the lamp includes a filamentand means are provided on said sheet defining an electrical contact forengagement by an end portion of the lamp base to provide an electricalconnection to one end of the lamp filament connected to said lamp baseend portion.
 5. The socket structure of claim 2 wherein the lampincludes a filament and means are provided on said sheet third portiondefining an electrical contact for engagement by an end portion of thelamp base to provide an electrical connection to one end of the lampfilament connected to said lamp base end portion.
 6. The socketstructure of claim 1 wherein said fold line means includeslongitudinally disaligned portions on opposite sides of said openinghaving opposed ends at said opening spaced apart substantially one-halfthe pitch of the lamp base thread.
 7. The socket structure of claim 1wherein said second opening portion comprises a substantiallystraight-sided opening portion extending radially away from said firstcircular opening portion when said first and second sheet portions aredisposed substantially in a common plane.
 8. The socket structure ofclaim 1 wherein said second opening portion extends only partially theextent of said second sheet portion away from said first sheet portion.9. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said sheet is formed of asynthetic plastic.
 10. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein saidsheet is formed of polyethylene.
 11. The socket structure of claim 1wherein the lamp includes a filament and a metal plate is faciallyjuxtaposed to said first sheet portion and is provided with an openingadapted to receive said threaded lamp base while providing an electricalcontact with the thread thereof to define an electrical connection to anend of the lamp filament connected to the thread.
 12. The socketstructure of claim 1 wherein a metal plate is facially juxtaposed tosaid first sheet portion and retained in association therewith by saidretaining means.
 13. The socket structure of claim 1 wherein said sheetincludes a third portion joined to said second sheet portion at a secondfold line and extending in facial confrontation to said first sheetportion, said retaining means securing said third portion of the sheetin said facial confrontation to said first sheet portion and securing ametal lamp connector in association with said first sheet portion to beengaged by the threaded lamp base when the threaded lamp base isthreaded into said opening.
 14. Socket structure for use with anincandescent lamp having a base, comprising: a sheet of insulatingplastic having a first leg portion, a bight portion, and a second 1egportion having an end portion spaced from the first leg portion by thebight portion and a securing portion spaced from said end portion, anopening in said first leg portion adapted to receive a lamp base, saidleg portion defining distal ends; means associated with said first legportion for providing a first electrical connection to one connectionportion of the lamp base; and means associated with said second legportion for providing a second electrical connection to anotherconnection portion of the lamp base.
 15. The socket structure of claim14 wherein means are provided for securing the distal ends of said firstand second leg portions in facial engagement, said sheet being formed ofa resilient plastic, said means associated with said second leg portionfor providing a second electrical connection being resiliently biasedtoward said first leg portion by the facial engagement of said distalleg ends.
 16. The socket structure of claim 14 wherein means areprovided on said bight portion of the sheet for frictionally engaging alamp base installed through said opening on said first sheet leg portionto releasably retain a lamp in said socket structure.
 17. The socketstructure of claim 14 wherein said sheet portions are integrally joined.18. The socket structure of claim 14 wherein said sheet portions areintegrally joined by fold line means.